THE MAYOR'S COAL,

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12687, 8 July 1919, Page 6

THE MAYOR'S COAL,

ANXIOUS INQUIRIES BY . CITIZENS.

DELIVERY AT ADDINGTON SIDING. Altogether 230 tons, of Konini-Reef-ton coal has arrived at Lyttelton harbour by the Kaitangata, consigned to tile City Council, and at two bags per order this represents 1380 orders. The City Council has been inundated for the past week or so. with orders and inquiries for coal. The procedure to be adopted to get the coal is to place a written order with the City Council, AIJ orders will then be sent to the depot, and the consumer will be obliged to go to the depot and take delivery of bis two bags. It is probable that a central booking depot will be opened, and that cash will be taken .with the order, but this is not quite definitely decided.

The permit of the Coal Trade Committee to distribute the coal was placed in the Mayor’s hands to-day. It is an unconditional permit to distribute for household purposes. The Mayor stated to-day that he expected the coal to arrive in Christchurch to-mqrrow, and by courtesy of Mr S. M’Murray, mauWilliams, Stevens and, Co., it would be run along to that firm’s siding Addington. If the trucks could bo held the coal would be distributed direct from them, but otherwise it would be deposited in the yard. If the City Council at its next meeting approved of tlie purchase of the 350 cords of Wood which was under offer from the Seluyn Plantation Board the wood would also be sent to the siding. Until the freight to Addington was ascertained, the Mayor added, he could not say what tho price of the coal would be, but it would he a. bedrock price. The council was not going to bustle over the work, hut the people would) he reemested to conic , and take the coal. The applications would be classified, and as the customers arrived they would bo ticked off. If four or five persons in the same street got together they might make their own arrangements for the delivery, and the cost of delivery would be about 6d a bag. If there was no great rush for the coal, it might be possible to let the smaller dealers have some of the coal.

The latest advice from Lyttelton is that the Kaitangata berthed at 8 a.m.,' hut owing to the large number of vessels in port no labour was immediately available. It was hoped- that with the departure of the Corinna at midday two gangs would be available. No definite information could he obtained as to the time when the coal would be discharged.